Solar Charge Selector for Multi-Battery Class 8 Tractor Trailers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle power management systems fail to efficiently share excess charge capacity among multiple electrical loads with differing voltage characteristics, leading to degradation of lower priority systems when higher priority systems are fully charged, requiring separate solar systems for each load.
Innovation Solution
A selector system that monitors and directs excess charge capacity from a primary power source, such as solar panels, to auxiliary loads like liftgate batteries, prioritizing higher priority systems like refrigeration units, ensuring that excess solar energy is diverted to maintain liftgate batteries without compromising the refrigeration system's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single solar charge system is used to charge multiple battery systems, then system complexity and cost are reduced, but lower priority loads may be drained when higher priority systems are fully charged
Solution Approach 1:
A selector switch is introduced as an intermediary device between the single solar charge system and multiple battery systems. The selector switch monitors charge levels of different battery systems and intelligently directs excess charge capacity to appropriate batteries, preventing lower priority loads from being drained while maintaining higher priority systems. This intermediary component enables a single solar system to safely charge multiple batteries with different voltage characteristics without requiring separate solar systems for each load.
2Reliability
If separate solar systems are used for each battery system, then each load is independently protected, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solar charge system is designed with universal capability to charge multiple types of battery systems with different voltage characteristics. Rather than requiring dedicated solar systems for each battery, the single solar system can adaptively serve multiple functions by charging different battery banks based on their charge needs and priority levels. This multi-functionality is achieved through the selector switch that routes charge capacity appropriately, eliminating the need for multiple separate solar systems while maintaining reliable charge maintenance for all loads.
3Loss of energy
If excess charge capacity is continuously directed to auxiliary loads, then energy efficiency is improved, but higher priority systems may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The charge distribution system dynamically adjusts the routing of excess charge capacity based on real-time monitoring of battery charge levels and system priority requirements. The selector switch continuously evaluates the state of higher priority systems (such as refrigeration units) and auxiliary loads, redirecting excess charge to auxiliary loads only when higher priority systems are fully charged or do not require additional charge. This dynamic adjustment ensures optimal energy utilization without compromising the operation of critical systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows a single solar charge system to effectively charge multiple battery systems with different voltage characteristics, minimizing the need for separate solar systems and preventing lower priority loads from being drained, thus maintaining the integrity of critical systems like refrigeration units.
Implementation Method 1
A vehicle energy management system for a trailer vehicle having a plurality of electrical loads powered by rechargeable power repositories implements a method for charging the power repositories, such as batteries, by determining when a primary power source has excess capacity for charging an auxiliary load
Data Source
AI summary
A power management and selection system for a class 8 tractor trailer, directs excess solar and vehicular charge capacity to an auxiliary load by measuring available charge capacity from a reefer power system including a reefer battery, solar panel and charge controller for moderating solar power to the reefer batter, and measuring available charge capacity from a cab vehicle power system including a propulsion system battery and alternator. Charge logic, in a selector configured for switching charge capacity to the auxiliary load, determines which of the reefer power system and cab vehicle power system has the most potential excess charge capacity, and directs the determined excess charge capacity to the auxiliary load, while the measured available charge capacity remains sufficient for powering the respective reefer power system or cab vehicle power system.